Page 77 of A Thistle Beyond Time
“Thank goodness you found us, Cormac,” Sophia said. “We’ve been wandering around in the woods ever since we got here.”
“We need some help to get back home,” Jonathan said.
Cormac couldn’t help but be wary of Jonathan’s motives. He didn’t mention Sir Richard to them, instead waiting to see what they were about.
“Ye’ll have to come with us,” Cailin said. “No decisions will be made out here. The others must know of yer arrival.”
“Sure thing, dude,” Jonathan said.
Cormac smelled a rat. He knew they were up to something. He looked around for Sir Richard, but he was not visible anywhere nearby. “Just keep heading towards the castle. We’ll be right behind ye.”
Sophia looked up at Cormac adoringly and spared an appreciative glance for Cailin. She started walking and Jonathan fell into step beside her. Cormac held back and let them get a good distance ahead of them before he spoke to Cailin.
“Something’s not right here,” he said. “They were with Sir Richard and they were speaking about getting Jenna back to San Francisco. I’m afraid Jonathan means to harm her.”
“We cannae allow that, Cormac,” Cailin stated firmly.
“Nae. We willnae. When we get back to Breaghacraig, I’ll question them about Sir Richard. I’m certain he’s involved in this.”
They continued to follow Jonathan and Sophia and when they arrived at the gate, they called out to the guards to let them know there was nothing to be concerned about. They passed through and Cailin and Cormac dismounted, handing their horses off to the stable boys.
“Let’s go inside,” Cormac extended his hand in the direction of the door.
“I appreciate the help, man. I know we didn’t get off on the right foot, but you know Jenna was my wife. I guess I was just a bit jealous seeing you with her,” Jonathan explained smoothly.
Cormac didn’t respond. Sophia sidled up next to him and clung to his arm as they entered the great hall.
“Who is this ye’ve got with ye?” Irene asked, eyeing Sophia suspiciously.
“This is Jenna’s former husband, Jonathan and a friend of his, Sophia. They somehow find themselves in need of our help,” Cormac explained.
Irene set about making them feel comfortable in the Great Hall. “I be Lady Irene, me husband Sir Robert is Laird of Breaghacraig. Ye must be verra tired after yer journey. Did ye walk all the way here?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” Sophia said. “My feet are killing me.”
“I imagine they may well be. ’Tis quite a long walk all the way from the bridge. But how is it that ye find yerselves here?” Irene wanted to know.
“We were out walking on the Marina Green the other morning. Sophia and I had an early morning breakfast date,” Jonathan smiled slyly and looked to Sophia for confirmation. “We saw Jenna and Cormac in this swirling mass of fog. We lost sight of them and were worried, so we walked into the fog to see where they’d gone and the next thing we knew, we arrived here.”
“I see. Cormac, do ye think Edna knows about this?” Irene questioned.
“I dinnae think so, but I havenae heard from her since we’ve been back,” Cormac stated coldly.
“I’ll get our guests some food and find a place for them to rest. Ye can speak with Robert about what’s to be done with them,” Irene said, taking charge as she usually did. “Please have a seat by the fire to warm yerselves.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Sophia said politely as Irene left the room.
“Jonathan, I believe ye may have met Sir Richard out in the woods near the bridge,” Cormac said.
“Sir Richard,” Jonathan hesitated and then screwed up his forehead, as though he were trying to remember something. “Oh, Sir Richard… yeah, we did. He’s an odd guy, isn’t he? He was asking us to join him, or something. I don’t know what he wanted from us, but Sophia and I got a bad vibe and decided we’d be better off on our own.”
“I see. So yer not working with him in any way?” Cailin asked.
“No!” Jonathan almost shouted his denial. “Absolutely not. He seemed like he had it in for you all, didn’t he, Sophia?”
“Oh, yeah… he did,” Sophia hesitated for just a moment before answering.
“How did ye manage to find Breaghacraig then?” Cormac wondered.
